DHAKA: Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is expected to arrive in Dhaka Sunday (October 15) on a one day visit over the Rohingya issue. 

After arriving at Shahjalal International airport by a special flight on Sunday morning, he head for the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar.

The Deputy Prime Minister is also scheduled to attend a meeting with Bangladesh Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali in the state guest house Padma at the evening.

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi might also pay a courtesy call to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina before the evening meeting with Mahmood Ali.

During the short visit, he will talk about various issues besides the Rohingya issue.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak recently assured that his country will stand beside Bangladesh in assisting the newly arrived Rohingyas who fled from Myanmar’s Rakhine state following persecution.  

International Immigration Agency (IOM) said over half a million Rohingya Muslims have fled into Bangladesh from Myanmar following crackdown by the Myanmar security forces started on Aug 25. Over 3,000 Rohingya have lost their lives in the violence and during the exodus. However, the real numbers of the victims are estimated much higher. No international organizations have yet got permission to enter Myanmar to inspect the situation first hand.

BDST: 1650 HRS, OCT 12, 2017
AP